Looking ahead

Erick wrote me an email a few days ago that really stuck with me. He said that the reason he and I are so happy with our lives is because we love the journey. He's right. We are not always focused on a worldly destination. We don't think "as soon as such-and-such happens, then we'll be happy." We are happy now while we move from one life adventure to the next. We love the drive. Sure we hit potholes in our road sometimes and get flat tires, but even that always seems to turn out as an opportunity to grow together. And we end up even happier when it's all fixed.

His email made me smile. I know I am certainly lucky to have Erick in my life. He makes our journey more fun and exciting.

Looking ahead, I'm very excited for 2012. Here are some of the events that I am most looking forward to this year:

• Bailey's baptism
• R&R (two weeks vacation with Erick)
• Going to Disneyland
• Running a half marathon
• Welcoming Erick home from Afghanistan for good
• More travel - right now, we're thinking Morocco and the UK
  (Any suggestions of places we shouldn't miss while we're in Europe?)
• Moving back to the states
• Exploring the South with the family

I'm sure there are many more things that we are going to do, but these are the ones that I'm focusing on now. I feel so blessed to have such a great life and a great husband to enjoy it with.

What are you looking forward to next year?

New Year's Eve

Today was a good, long day. I started in the morning, by heading to the church to set up the Primary room. Our theme this year is "Choose the Right." We've decided to have a road-map theme where we liken life to traveling on the road. The street signs warn us and protect us from danger just like the scriptures and prophets do. The laws protect drivers from getting injured, just like the commandments protect us from spiritual dangers. We strive to make right choices that will help us follow the path that leads to Christ. 

I, with the help of my fantastic counselors, created a paper path that we will follow throughout the year in Primary. It should be fun! Here is a picture of the end of that path (If you're curious, CTR stands for Choose the Right):

We will remember New Year's Eve 2011 forever because it was the day David decided to take his first steps. He's 17 months old. I'd say it's about time. This was the best picture I could get. He was not cooperating:

To celebrate New Year's tonight, we ate shrimp and had ice cream. It was a real treat for the kids:

We did not have any fireworks of our own, but that doesn't seem to matter here in Germany because EVERYONE else has them. We enjoyed watching the entire neighborhood light up the sky. The best part, however, was watching our neighbor, Todd, light his fireworks:

The whole neighborhood came out to watch:

It was a fun night. David was asleep long before the fun began. Bailey was asleep at the beginning of the fun, but woke up for the end. And TJ was there for the beginning, but was inside asleep by the time the fireworks were done. 

After all the fireworks, Bailey and Joey joined me for a glass of Sparkling grape juice. Then we wished each other a happy new year. After our drinks, the girls insisted that they write an email to their dad wishing him a happy new year too. It was a good night:

Resolutions revisited

Back in April, I set some year-long goals. Now as everyone is contemplating their New Year's resolutions, I thought I would revisit my goals to see how I am doing and recommit to the ones that are not going so well. 

They are color-coated.
Green means I have accomplished the goal, or I'm well on my way to accomplishing the goal, or I feel really good about my progress.
Orange means I have not completed the goal, but I have a plan and should be able to do it by April.
Red means I haven't done it, and it's probably not going to happen. 

Here's to a happy and rewarding new year!

1. Run a half marathon      
This one may not happen before my year is up in April. But I am back to training, and I have committed Erick to running with me this summer. I even bought a treadmill, so I don't have an excuse about cold weather and sitters for the kids.

2. Tell each of my children that I love them every day     
This one has not been hard. I love my kids, and it's easy to tell them. They are good kids.

3. Learn to play one hymn on the piano    
Haven't started this one

4. Display my photographs    
I have done this one. The wall going up my stairs is filled with photographs I have taken. It's such a fun reminder to see all of the places we have been. Here is a picture from when I was framing the pictures in the living room:

5. Plan and carry out family service projects

My kids dedicated a lot of time toward getting Christmas packages to soldiers downrange. It was an FRG project, but the whole family was involved, so I think it counts:

6. Read from the Book of Mormon every day

I'm at about 98% on this. Having the scriptures in my ipod and now in my kindle helps with this because it is accessible wherever I am. I admit there were some traveling days that may have been skipped. But I feel good about my overall consistency.

7. Pray as a family every day

Again, this happens most nights. It's an important part of our family routine. It is especially important with Erick away.

8. Make a Quilt

Still  haven't done this one, though I have all of the fabric cut and ready to go. I really think I can do this one before April.

9. Memorize one important German word or phrase each week

I did not do this one at all for the first five months. I was feeling so bad about it, that I decided to repent. I began taking a German class a few months ago. I have class one morning a week. I love it, and I'm learning, so I feel good about it.

10. Re-read the New Testament

I haven't done this yet. But I will. I still have four months.

11. Go to the beach

We had a fantastic time with our family in Croatia this summer. It may have been rock, but it was still a beach:

12. Host a party

I have had a few gatherings at my house. I had an FRG potluck here. I had a fun 9-year-old birthday party here. I had friends over for games on Thanksgiving. I even hosted Christmas Eve. I think I'm doing okay with hosting events at my house.

13. Catch up on my yearly scrapbook pages for my mother

Working on it right this week

14. Memorize my phone numbers (seriously, don't laugh)

Fail. I was so excited that I finally got my insanely long cell phone number memorized. Then I got a new cell phone. So this one has yet to be accomplished.

15. Lose 20 lbs

Yes. I've done it. I've cheated a little though. I gained 10 lbs over the summer, and now I've lost 20 lbs. So in reality, I need to lose another 10 lbs to make my actual goal. I'm going to do it though. I'm training for a half marathon. I'm counting calories. I'm doing P90X, an intense workout video program. I am on my way.

Here is a really bad before picture from May:

Here is a before picture in August when I was actually trying to look nice (I actually love this picture with all of my siblings):

This is fuzzy, but this is me this week: 

16. Do a science project with my kids

I'm planning to do this for the school science fair this spring. Luckily, my good friend Brittany has offered to help. She has a master's degree in science. I'm sure she can help me and the kids come up with something. Thanks Brittany!

17. Plant flowers in my yard

I did this right after I made this goal last spring. I planted some beautiful flowers that Erick gave me for Mother's day. I also added some bulbs. I can't wait to see them pop out of the ground this Spring. Here they are from last spring:

18. Invite people into my home

I think I'm doing well with this. I've had friends over more. I even have my cousin Aisling living with me. I've learned that I'm a very private person. Having people in my home has helped me to open up more. I like it.

19. Maintain my blog

It's an ongoing process. I'm happy with it.

20. Improve my photography skills 

I was doing really well with this until I finished the "A year in pictures" segment on my blog back in September. Now I feel like I'm sliding backwards. So to jumpstart my photography education, I'm restarting my year in pictures adventure with the new year. Aren't you excited?

21. Make a Christmas stocking for David

I've finished the front. Now I  have to sew it all together. It will  happen...

22. Visit two countries that I have not visited before

This one is in the bag. In fact, I visited five countries that I've never visited before: Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Slovenia, and Hungary. 

23. Fly Space-A with the kids

Done. And I'm doing it again to see family in just over a month. Here's to another adventure:

24. Do not watch television until after I have exercised each day

Fail.

25. Find ways to improve my French

Does traveling to France count? Yes. I think it does:

26. Write and deliver Thank You cards

Working on this one

27. Learn three new techniques in Photoshop

I started playing with it last Spring. But I haven't continued. 

28. Organize my information for Primary

I did this one. It felt good. Now a new year is starting, and I need to do it again.

29. Do one pull up unassisted

I have really been working on this one, but my arms and my weight are not getting along. I will continue working until I do it.

30. Do 25 man push ups

I am so, so close. I did 20. I couldn't even do one when I first tried this summer. I had to do them on my knees. I will get to 25. Soon.

31. Visit one new place each month

This one has been fun. I had to remind myself that it doesn't have to be far away to be new. There are a lot of cute towns to explore close to home

32. Send at least one package a month to Erick while he is away

I've been pretty good about this one. I'll keep it up. Though he doesn't want me to send him snacks. Do you have any good ideas of fun things I could send?

33. Re-read all of the conference talks from this year

Does re-listening to them count? I've listened to the MP3 versions on my ipod. Because if it does, then I've done this. If it doesn't, then I need to get reading...

34. Notice and document the tender mercies of God (blessings)

I've done this a bit. But there have been so many blessings in my life. I definitely need to be better about it.

Christmas downrange

I have posted on the private blog: http://erickinthearmy.blogspot.com/

A perfect day

Our Christmas morning began with a 4 am wake up call. Erick called from Afghanistan. It was a wonderful way to wake up. He knew that all the soldiers downrange would be fighting to use the computers and phones to talk with their loved-ones today. Their time would be limited, and their connection would be slow. By starting so early, our connection was descent, and we had ample time to see and talk to each other.

Erick and I spoke briefly and decided that we should wake the kids to begin Christmas morning. I set up the computer in the living room, and we connected via Skype.

When I woke TJ, he said, "If it's Christmas, then why do I feel so tired?" I explained that it was very early, but Daddy was on the computer and wanted to watch TJ and the other kids open presents. When her heard that, TJ shot out of bed in a flash.

Here are TJ and Joey organizing the gifts under the tree:

Here is Erick watching the fun:

Most of the time, we were sitting in a circle around the computer to open presents. Then each kid would hold up the present so that Erick could get a better view:

I feel like we were certainly blessed to have Erick with us this morning. I knew that Christmas would be the toughest part of this year-long deployment. But because of modern technology and Erick's brilliant idea, this holiday was absolutely wonderful.

Erick sent TJ a hat like the ones that the Afghan boys wear. Here is TJ modeling it for Erick:

Erick also got the girls jewelry from Afghanistan (not shown). It is very gold and ornate, but that didn't stop Bailey from wearing hers to church that morning.

Erick was able to be a part of our entire morning. He didn't sign off until all of the gifts were open, and we were ready to eat breakfast. 

Here is TJ showing off one of his favorite presents, his remote control car:

David loved his gift from Santa, a car ramp:

Joey (the next day) showing off her new roller blades and pads:

Bailey blowing thank you kisses to Aunt Annie for her new purse (Bailey can design the flower accents on it):

After breakfast (and a nap for me) we went to church. I sang with the ward choir and with a trio with two of my favorite people, Deanna and Pam. It was a lot of fun, and I felt it was a perfect way to spend Christmas. During Sacrament meeting, David started to cry and be loud. I wasn't sure how I was going to balance the baby and singing. Luckily, Brother Ellsworth stepped in and took David. And miracle of miracles, David went to him without a fuss. Brother Ellsworth kept him throughout the entire meeting, and David was happy the entire time. It was another tender mercy on this perfect day.

In the evening, we had dinner with Deanna and her boys. When David was done eating, he decided to practice crawling up and down the stairs. He is getting pretty good:

Later, we set up "Just Dance" for the Wii. All the kids took a turn. Boy do they have some moves. Here are Bailey and Jayden:

TJ and Joey:

The kids had so much fun, I'm considering getting "Just Dance" for our family. It entertained both the adults and the kids for hours. I was super impressed with TJ's moves.

Deanna and I even took a turn. It was a tough workout, but it was so, so fun!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning, we received a phone call from Erick. He spoke with me and each of the kids. It was a wonderful surprise. David took the phone and babbled on and on and on with his Dad. When I finally took the phone away, he cried. It was a sweet moment. Try to ignore the booger nose. Ha ha:

Our evening festivities started with an adventure. TJ tripped going up the stairs and split his lip open. I couldn't believe the amount of blood. I was sure he was going to need stitches, but luckily, we live next to an amazing dentist who assured me it would heal just fine without. Thanks Pete! TJ's army shirt is showing some signs of battle:

A close-up. It looks much worse in person:

We had two fun families join us for the evening. We had dinner and lots of yummy snacks. Then all the kids helped to act out the nativity story. It was a lot of fun:

Bailey and Noah were shepherds. Jayden was Joseph. Annie was Mary. David was the baby Jesus (while he was happy). Joey was an angel. T.J. and Jayce were the wise men.

Next we opened a gift from Grandma "B." It was our Christmas Eve story. The kids loved it.

We all got new PJ's tonight.  

We took pictures with our new PJ's. Unfortunately, David was already in bed:

I started making David's stocking this season, but I didn't finish. So Bailey improvised by writing his name on masking tape and putting it on Dad's stocking. I hope you don't mind, Erick. I'll be sure to have David's finished by next Christmas:

Here are the cookies and milk that he kids left out for Santa. They even left a note:

The week before Christmas

We have been getting ready for Christmas this week. Joey and Bailey haven't had any school, so I thought I would share a bit of what we have been up to.

On Sunday, we lit the fourth candle on our Advent wreath. It has been so fun to adopt some of the German traditions and make them our own.

On Monday, we made a Christmas Craft. Erin sent us some kits to make bell wreaths. The kids loved it!

While we were in the dining room making our wreaths, Santa knocked on the window to let us know he was watching. After a few moments to get to our senses, Joey bolted outside to try to catch a glimpse of him. Unfortunately, Santa was already long gone. But it was a fun moment, though TJ would not sleep that night with the shutters open. he he

On Tuesday, the kids had friends over for a PJ party and watched Mr. Popper's Penguins. I don't have pictures of the party because I went out to Nuremberg for dinner and a movie with some girlfriends. Good times for me.

Wednesday was our big wrapping day. I called each kid into my room one by one and locked the door. I then helped each child wrap the presents from him or her. It was actually quite time-consuming, but very fun. In the afternoon, we all played Apples to Apples Junior. Bailey won. As usual.

Thursday ended up being a lazy day. We drove onto post to pick up some packages at the post office, and we rented a movie. It was a wonderful lounging restful day.

I have a picture of another important part of our week and our entire Christmas season. This year, we decided that we needed to try harder to invite the Spirit of Christ into our hearts. To do this, we know we need to serve one another. Each of the kids decorated a jar. We call these jars "Heart Chart Jars." Each time we notice someone doing something nice, we write that nice deed on a paper and put it in the nice person's jar. On Christmas day, we are going to read all of the papers inside the jars.

I have noticed a huge difference in my kids' behavior this season. They strive to help and be kind to one another. They are being more patient. They are more happy. I am calling it my Christmas Miracle.

On Friday, we went to T.J.'s school to hear his class sing some songs. TJ is sitting in the circle with the red striped shirt. All the parents stood around the outside of the circle:

T.J. with his teacher Steffi showing me the present and card he made for me and Erick:

Friday night, we attended our church Christmas party. Santa was there. David was not a fan:

But the other kids had a nice chat with Santa: